Pandemic Restrictions Extra Painful for Businesses Owned by Minorities, Women, and Veterans

In news that may come as a surprise to policymakers though probably not the rest of us, it turns out that small businesses with limited resources were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who suffered the most included business owners who had to struggle with natural disasters including floods and wildfires on top of social distancing and lockdown orders. But the worst sufferers included small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) owned by minorities, women, and veterans who just didn't have the resources to handle slowdowns and (especially) forced closures. While not all business woes over the past two years were the result of political decisions, it's fair to say that pandemic policy proved more damaging than hurricanes to the most vulnerable entrepreneurs.